As the story goes, it looks like Amazon may have accidentally outed its own second-generation Kindle Paperwhite e-book reader live on its site before pulling it down and then awww-helling it back into existence. The cat was apparently out of the bag, as it were.

Amazon is boasting the “highest-ever contrast” for the Paperwhite’s display, an improved light and a 25% faster processor. It’ll be available on September 30 – roughly a year after the first version, which Harry reviewed, saying that “the screen makes it the best e-reader yet.” Amazon calls the new Paperwhite “the best device for reading, period.” That should surprise nobody, as Amazon has a vested interest in selling as many Amazon Paperwhites as it possibly can.

Other new features include Goodreads integration, FreeTime parental controls that reward kids for reading, a vocabulary builder, new in-line footnotes, enhanced definitions and more.

The new Paperwhite starts at $119 for the Wi-Fi version, which will be available September 30; the 3G-enabled version starts at $189 and will be available November 5.

You've seen it, what is this "improved light"? There is nothing on their web that talks about new technology or LED's or anything else - I'm wondering if all the "hype" will turn out to be "we worked out how to make the led's a bit brighter.